Two prominent Iranian actresses arrested - state media

Multimedia 09:13 21 Nov, 2022
Two prominent Iranian actresses have been arrested for publicly supporting mass anti-government protests
Two prominent Iranian actresses arrested - state media

Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi are accused of collusion and acting against Iran's authorities, Qazet.az reports citing Irna news agency.

Both women earlier appeared in public without their headscarves - a gesture of solidarity with demonstrators.

The protests erupted in September after the death of a woman in police custody.

Mahsa Amini, 22, was detained by morality police in the capital, Tehran, for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules. She died on 16 September, three days later.

There were reports that officers beat her with a baton and banged her head against a vehicle, but police denied that she was mistreated and said she suffered a heart attack.

Ms Ghaziani and Ms Riahi - both multiple-award winning actresses - were detained on Sunday on the orders of Iran's prosecutor's office, Irna says.

Before the arrest, Ms Ghaziani wrote on social media that "whatever happens, know that as always I will stand with the people of Iran".

"This maybe my last post," she added.